Edison dental clinic proves the power of community collaboration (Letter)

Students at Edison Environmental Science Academy now have access to a dental clinic in the school.MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette file photo

The following is a letter to the editor that was sent to the Kalamazoo Gazette.

MICHAEL LARSON/Kalamazoo

President & CEO, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region

Twice I’ve experienced life-changing events in a dentist’s office. The first was when I fell in love with my dental hygienist, now my wife of 17 years. The second was on Feb. 11 at an open house in the new dental clinic at Kalamazoo Public Schools' Edison Environmental Science Academy.

The clinic was spearheaded by the Family Health Center and Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo, along with Kalamazoo Public Schools and many local supporters including United Way. I was struck by the energy of these partners in tackling this health care need. Imagine how hard it is for a child with a toothache to focus on schoolwork. Now imagine if that child’s family had no other access to treatment.

I left the open house feeling proud –- proud to be part of an organization that supports this initiative, proud that we support a similar effort in Calhoun County (where my wife devotes her time), and most of all, proud to see determined people coming together to change the story in our neighborhoods, our communities and our region.